Gleeson Starring in Horse-Racing Film ‘The Cup’

"The Cup," the true story of jockey Damien Oliver and racehorse Media Puzzle’s victory at Australia’s prestigious Melbourne Cup is currently shooting in Melbourne, Australia, Myriad Pictures announced Thursday.

Director Simon Wincer seems a natural fit for the project, having previously helmed such family-firendly, adorable animal movies as "Free Willy" and "The Young Black Stallion."

Wincer also directed more adult fare like the Emmy-winning television miniseries “Lonesome Dove” — though that movie also had plenty of horses.

The movie stars burly Irish actor Brendan Gleeson ("Gangs of New York," "Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix," "In Bruges") as horse trainer Dermot Weld, Stephen Curry ("Rogue") as jockey Damien Oliver and Australian television stars Daniel McPherson as Damien’s brother Jason and Jodi Gordon as Damien’s wife, Trish.

The film is being produced by Wincer and Lance Hool of Silver Lion Films. Kirk D’Amico, president-CEO of Myriad Pictures, is an executive producer.

Financing is being provided by Village Roadshow, Screen Australia and Film Victoria. Myriad is handling worldwide sales; Village Roadshow will release the film theatrically in Australia and New Zealand.

The movie was co-written by Wincer and Eric O’Keefe, and the production coincides with the 150th anniversary of the Melbourne Cup.

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